Review of Cowboy

I don't know what it is exactly, but in 'Cowboy' some elements just don't agree with me. First of all, the soundtrack: it sounds sort of jolly to me, too jolly (luckily it was absent some of the time), when the film obviously wants to be a little darker than usual. Just like Tom shooting bugs in the bathroom; it feels over the top. I read a review here by a real rider for the cattle association (donkrahn) who stated that this film is realistic, and as far as some characters go, I could believe that, but to me the dramatic side of the film was at times undermined by misplaced comedic elements (the jolly music, shooting bugs, learning to ride a horse) and a rather poor 'development' of the characters; the ending with Frank in the bath next to Tom shooting a bug and both of them laughing it up was particularly awkward.

The relationship between Tom and Frank seemed at times realistic enough, but there were plenty of (too) contrived moments, for instance when they take their time to shoot the breeze while being in a wagon full of wild cattle, and their randomly being an asshole when the other one is the nice guy and vice versa. I'm not sure how I feel about Lemmon in this role. He had his moments, but I couldn't get convinced of him being a hardened cowboy.

And, finally, the scene of the horse being attacked by the red-horned bull was just off-putting. Kudos to Tom for facing it without one.

All in all, I liked where it was trying to go at times, but it never really got there; 5 out of 10.